Combination table and settee



May 3, 1955 F. J. FAHLE 2,707,512

COMBINATION TABLE AND SETTEE Filed 001:. 8, 1953 2 Shets-Sheet 1 7.-.. 4 INVENTOR. j 5 FRED J. FAHLE "G2 a. W

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May 3, 1955 F. J. FAHLE 2,707,512

comammou TABLE AND SETTEE Filed Oct. 8, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent COMBINATION TABLE AND SETTEE Fred J. Fahle, Bellefontaine, Ohio Application October 8, 1953, Serial No. 384,903

3 Claims. (Cl. 155--43) This invention relates generally to household or housetrailer utility tables and settees, but more specifically to a combination table and settee incorporated into a single piece of furniture.

An object of this invention is to provide a single piece of furniture so constructed that it selectively becomes either a dining-utility table or a comfortable settee merely by manipulating a combined table top-settee back rest member.

Another object is to provide a combined table-settee which is relatively compact, sturdy, simple and easy to manipulate, positive locking in either use position and which requires only a single small spring in its construction.

Still another object is to provide a combined tablesettee which is comparatively simple and economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear, and for purposes of illustration but not of limitation, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the complete unit selectively locked in its settee position;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the complete unit selectively locked in its table position;

Figure 3 is a detail elevational view of one of the two identical selective positioning tracks, here shown attached to the inner side of the left end assembly of the unit;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view (partly in section) of the selective mechanism locking device located within the front portion of the left arm rest; and

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 2, of the arm rests, tracks, rollers and table top, when the unit is selectively locked in its table position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment of the invention consists of a standard, preferably fabricated from tubular steel or aluminum members, comprising two identical end uprights 6 and 7, three longitudinal members 8, 9 and 1t) placed between, and connected to end assembly cross braces 11 and 12, wooden arm rests 13 and 14, a seat panel 15 hinged to the cross member 9, a combined table top-back rest panel 16 and two identical conversion track channels equipped with their associated rollers to be more fully described later.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, each end upright comprises two generally vertical members 17 and 18 maintained in spaced apart relation by upper cross members 11 and lower cross members 12 so that the upper ends of vertical members 17 and 18 are preferably somewhat closer together than the lower portions thereof. The lower extremities of the vertical members 17 and 18 are preferably curved outward from each other and then downward,

being provided at their lower ends with suitable casters.'

Arm rests 13 and 14 are suitably attached to the upper ends of vertical members 17 and 18. The two end uprights 6 and 7 are maintained in spaced apart relation by longitudinal cross members 8, 9 and 10. The cross mem- 2,707,512 Patented May 3, 1955 "Ice bers 8 and 9 are fastened to the end cross braces 11 and the cross member 10 is fastened to the end cross braces 12.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, the combined table top-back rest panel 16 is preferably constructed of plywood of desired width, the length of this panel being sulficient movably to fit between the two arm rests. As shown in Figure 1, one side of the panel 16 is provided with suitable upholstery extending the entire length of the panel and from the front longitudinal edge thereof inward toward the central portion of said panel. This upholstered portion on the side of the panel 16 becomes the back rest when the unit is placed in the settee position.

The seat panel 15, preferably constructed of plywood of the desired width, is approximately the same length as that of the panel 16 and the bottom rear edge portion of this seat panel is suitably hinged, as for example by the employment of curved brackets 19, to the rear longitudinal member 9. The entire upper surface of the seat panel 15 is preferably covered with suitable upholstery, as shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, an important feature of the invention resides in the use conversion track arrangement and its associated mechanisms. Each upright 6 and 7 on each side of the standard is provided with an identical track, of U-shaped channel mounted in a recessed or rabbeted portion of the inner edge of the arm rest, so that the open side of the channel track is flush with the edge portion of the arm rest, screws being employed to hold each track in place. The track comprises a lateral upper section 20 extending approximately the entire length of each arm rest. The rear portion of this lateral section extends abruptly downward (forming a substantially but not exactly vertical portion 21), and somewhat forwardly (about 5) to about midway between the end cross braces 11 and 12, where it then curves forwardly and slightly upwardly at 22. It then is formed abruptly downward and slightly forward so that its lower end terminates and attaches to end cross braces 12, just to the rear of the lower longitudinal member If The formation of these tracks is clearly shown in Figure 3. As shown a fiat strip is secured as by welding to the curved portion 22 of the track and extends upwardly to an upper portion of the track where it is similarly secured, thereby to strengthen the track structure.

Referring to Figure 3, a steel slug 23 is inserted and fastened into the front end of the lateral portion 20 of each track. The purpose of this slug is to provide a stop bumper, which prevents the escape of the front leading table top rollers from the track when the panel 16 is placed in the table-top position. Likewise, a similar steel slug 24 is inserted and fastened into the ends of the lower extremities of the tracks and the upper ends of these slugs are provided with suitable rubber pads 25 which act as shock absorbing bumpers and stops for the rear rollers attached to the panel 16.

Spaced somewhat rearwardly from the bumper slug 23, an oval shaped slot 26 is provided through the back wall of the lateral portion 20 of the track, affixed to the left end arm rest 13 to accommodate the partial projection therethrough into the interior of said track of the retractable end of a special locking pin which will be more fully described later. The slot 26 is located a sufficient distance from its adjacent end slug 23 to accommodate the leading front table-top roller therebetween when the unit is placed in the table position.

Since the roller mechanism construction is identical for each end of the table top-back rest panel 16, the left end of the unit shown in Figure 1, as represented in Figure 3, will primarily be used for explanation. Referring to Figures 3 and 5, two rollers 27 and 28 adapted to be retained and to roll within the tracks are attached by suitable spindles 29, to each end of the table top panel 16. Each spindle 29 is carried by a plate 2%: secured by screws to a rabbetcd edge of the panel 16 so as to be flush with the edge of the panel. Each plate 2% extends beyond the under face of the panel and the spindles are disposed in a plane below and parallel to the panel as shown on Figure 5. The rollers 2'7 and 23 are spaced apart sufficiently so that, when the panel 16 is placed in its full table top position, the roller 27 will be positioned between the front ent stop 23 and the oval slot 25 within the upper lateral portion 29 of the track, while the roller 28 is also maintained within said upper lateral portion of the tracks and just slightly ahead of the rear corners thereof which form the junctures of the lateral portions 29 and the vertical portions 21 of the tracks. Thus it becomes evident that with the rollers so positioned, the panel 16 will assume a horizontal position forming a rigid table top supported through the rollers by the two upper lateral portions 20 of the end tracks which are, in turn, supported by the unit framework.

With the table top panel in the table position, as just slightly greater than the width of the arm rest 13. One

end of this pin is provided with a suitable finger grip knob 31. The remaining end of said pin terminates with an enlarged portion whose nose 32 slants laterally and rearwardly forming a lateral lip 33. The central portion of the pin 39 is encased in a tubular housing 34. A coil spring 35 surrounds the central portion of the pin, one end abutting against the closed end of the tubular housing 34, and the opposite end abutting against the shoulder formed adjacent the enlarged nose 32 of the pin. A suitable hole is pro ided laterally through the arm rest 13 and communicates with the oval slot as provided through the upper lateral portion 2% of the track. The housing 34 0f the locking mechanism is inserted into the arm rest hole, so that the knob 31 resides within an enlarged recess 36 providcd along the exterior edge of the arm rest and the major portion of the enlarged latching nose 32 projects through the track slot 26 and somewhat into the interior of said track. it will be seen that the latch lip 33 abuts against the rear wall of the track, thus preventing pin 30 from projecting too far into the interior of said track. Ob-

viously, the spring 35 normally urges the pin 30 in the direction of the track, maintaining contact between the lip 33 and the backwall of the track.

The operation of this locking device is as follows. As

the panel 16 is pulled forwardly, the front roller 27 appreaches the tapered nose 32 of the pin 30, here shown as position F. Further forward movement of the panel 16 results in the roller 27 forcing the hose 32 to retract against its spring tension, thus permitting the roller to pass. As the roller 27 passes the latching nose 32 and comes into contact with the steel slug stop 23, the spring 35 forces the nose 32 once again to project into the interior of the track. Thus the roller 27 is captured between the steel stop 23 and the latch nose 32, which rigidly locks the panel 16 in its table top position (here shown as position G) and prevents any rearward motion thereof. To release the panel 16 so that it can be moved into the settec back-rest position, it is only necessary to grasp the knob 31, pull the pin 30 outwardly while, coincidentally, applying a small backward thrust against the forward edge of the panel 16. As soon as the roller 27 has passed the slot 26, the knob 31 is released.

Then by a slight further backward thrust on the panel 16, referring now to Figure 3, the panel, by virtue of the tracks and rollers, travels laterally backward until the rollers 28 reach the rear corners of the upper lateral track portions 243. At this point, the rollers 28 begin to travel downwardly along the vertical track portions 21 and the panel 16 rapidly approaches position A. The rollers 28 continue to move downwardly and finally approach and enter the lower track curved portions 22 which abruptly thrust the new lower edge of the panel 16 forwardly while, coincidentally the rollers 27 approach the rear corners of the upper lateral track portions 20. Continued movement of the panel 16 results in the rollers 28 coming to rest against the top surfaces of the rubber bumper stops 25 just below the curved portions 22 and near the upper portions of the bottom near-vertical sections of the tracks. Coincidcntally the rollers 27 will have entered the upper part of the essentially vertical portions 21 of the tracks. thus finally positioning the panel 16 in location B. Thus positioned, the panel 16 becomes the back rest and 1 errnits the unit to be used as a settee. When the rollers 27 become positioned near the upper end of the vertical portions 21, but below the rear corners of the upper lateral track portions 20, and coincidentally, the rollers 28 are positioned ag the lower rubber bumper stops 25, the panel 26 is rigidly locked in its somewhat rearwardly inclined back-rest position. With the panel 7.6 thus positioned, the forward edge of the seat panel 15 is swung downwardly until the panel rests upon the longitudinal cross member 3, thus providing a comfortable and rigid settee.

it is to be understood that numerous changes in details of construction, arrangement and operation may be eliectcd without departing from the spirit of the invention especially as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

I. An article of furniture comprising a standard having pair of laterally spaced uprights, an arm rest on each upright, a seat carried by said standard between said uprights, a track on each side of said standard, each track having a horizontal portion on the adjacent arm rest and. a vertical portion at the rear of such arm rest, the lower end of each vertical portion having a forwardly curved portion terminating in a downwardly inclined portion, stop members in said inclined portions, a back rest panel adapted when in backrest position in rear of the seat to project substantially below the seat, a pair of laterally spaced anti-friction members on each end of said panel riding in the adjacent track, one member of each pair being adjacent the front and the other member being adjacent the rear of the panel whereby the front and rear members may be disposed in the horizontal track portions thus positioning the back rest panel for table top use, and upon shifting the panel so that the rear antifriction members engage said stop members and the front members are in the upper portion of the vertical track portion, the panel is in vertically inclined backrest position, and releasable means for retaining the panel in horizontal or table top position.

2. An article of furniture comprising a standard having a pair of laterally spaced uprights, an arm rest on each upright, 21 seat carried by said standard between said uprights, a track on each side of said standard, each track having a horizontal portion on the adjacent arm rest and a vertical portion at the rear of such arm rest, the lower end of each vertical portion having a forwardly curved portion terminating in a downwardly inclined portion,

I stop members in said inclined portions, a back rest panel adapted when in backrest position in rear of the seat to project substantially below the seat, a pair of laterally soaced anti-friction members on each end of said panel riding in the adjacent track, one member of each pair being adjacent the front and the other member being adjacent the rear of the panel whereby the front and rear members may be disposed in the horizontal track portions thus positioning the back rest panel for table top use, and upon shifting the panel so that the rear anti-friction members engage said stop members and the front members are in the upper portion of the vertical track portion, the panel is in vertically inclined backrest position, a springtensioned element on one of said arm rests, said element being retractable when adjacent anti-friction member rides over same and then projectable into blocking position for holding the back rest in table top position, and manual means for retracting said element to enable shifting of the panel to backrest position.

3. An article of furniture comprising a standard having a pair of laterally spaced uprights, an arm rest on each upright, a seat carried by said standard between said uprights, a track on each side of said standard, each track having a horizontal portion on the adjacent arm rest and a vertical portion at the rear of such arm rest, the lower end of each vertical portion having a forwardly curved portion terminating in a downwardly inclined portion, stop members in said inclined portions, a back rest panel adapted when in backrest position in rear of the seat to project substantially below the seat, a'pair of laterally spaced rollers on each end of said panel riding in the adjacent track, one roller of each pair being adjacent the front and the other roller being adjacent the rear of the panel whereby the front and rear rollers may be disposed in the horizontal track portions thus positioning the back rest panel for table top use, and upon shifting the panel so that the rear rollers engage said stop members and the front rollers are in the upper portion of the vertical track portion, the panel is in vertically inclined backrest position, a retractable spring-tensioned latch on one of said arm rests and disposed in the respective horizontal track portion over which the front roller passes to table top position and blocks retrograde movement, and a finger piece to retract said latch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 595,913 Hale Dec. 21, 1897 797,852 Hayden Aug. 22, 1905 1,269,967 Sill June 18, 1918 2,306,294 Brown Dec. 22, 1942 2,595,179 Vella Apr. 29, 1952 

